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“A trip to the coast in early Spring or Autumn when the water and air are still cold and the sea is rough. I see the sea foam. I get a feeling of change and appreciation. Energy. There is nothing static about blue.” Jenny Kakoudakis, seasonsincolour.com

Storyboards and Moodboards for Design

To begin each new collection we create storyboards, or moodboards, and use these to guide the design process. Our storyboard is a curated edit of images, words and materials - arranged, edited, re-arranged and re-edited - providing a powerful, visual way of thinking through ideas and inspirations as they begin to tell a story.

Visual Storytelling and Interpretation

Visual storytelling is fascinating. As we worked on our new collection (which will be available next month) we began to wonder what messages others would ‘see’ in our storyboards, how would others interpret them? Would they see through the designer’s eyes, so to speak? So, we invited some industry insiders to explore the power of visual storytelling with us. Read on to explore our storyboard visions, and thoughts from Sophie Robinson, Michelle Ogundehin, Editor-at-Large ELLE Decoration UK, Jenny Kakoudakis, Seasons in Colour, Anna Thomas, Creative Interiors, Karolina Barnes, ESTILA, and Jade Maria, Jade Maria Interiors.

Each new collection has a purpose, and its design needs to fulfill that purpose in terms of functionality, quality, and look and feel. But it also has a story, a background that has inspired its creation. We will soon be launching our new printed cotton linen collection - Landscapes. This collection has three parallel stories - ebb and flow of the ocean, contours of the land, and geology of the earth. The collection shares the overriding story of natural landscapes, but each design has its own character, mood and style.

For this collection, each storyboard began with a key image of the landscape, and a descriptive title. From here we thought about what the designs may look and feel like, their personality and purpose, the patterns, forms and colours. The storyboards evolved into unique visual maps guiding the design process from start to finish through sketching, collage, weaving and printing to produce samples.

A storyboard is a powerful design tool to focus ideas, convey stories and emotions…. but for the purpose of design they are curated entirely from the designers viewpoint, so it was really interesting to see how others interpreted the storyboards, what moods and messages they read from them.

Storyboard 1: Ebb and Flow

“This story focuses on nature’s rhythms, the ebb and flow of the oceans, the movement of the earth balancing light and dark. A world in balance, organized yet changing directions in the winds and tides. Ideas are referenced here by naturally light interiors spaces, a waveform mobile at the mercy of the wind, Bauhaus directional patterns. Yet this strong and driven character is softened with a tactile and painterly edge, and brushstrokes leaning from dark to light.” Claire Gaudion

Industry Insider's Storyboard Interpretations

“I love the emphasis of shape in this mood board... especially how the shapes represents the sea, the sky and the waves, forming slight abstract visions of patterns.” Jade Maria, Jade Maria Interiors

“A trip to the coast in early Spring or Autumn when the water and air are still cold and the sea is rough. I see the sea foam. I get a feeling of change and appreciation. Energy. There is nothing static about blue.” Jenny Kakoudakis, seasonsincolour.com

Storyboard 2: Contours of The Land

“Undulating landscapes that flow from mountains to grasslands, in vast naturally interconnected spaces. The forms of this design are natural and gentle, yet contemporary. Hella Jongerius’ Colour Catchers illustrate the effect of light and shadow on tactile colours. For me, the weave structures and the interconnecting patterns of Ivan da Silva-Bruhn’s rugs reference the lines and aerial patterns of landscapes.” Claire Gaudion

Storyboard 3: Geology of The Earth

“A design that embraces time and tradition. Imagine earthy interiors spaces with transitioning colours depicting the colour-gradients of desert landscapes. The Huichol yarn painting suggests a respect and harmony with the land using symbols and patterns which date back centuries, a notion of things coming full circle, step-by-step. Colourful tribal influences and painterly effects add a playful and tactile homeliness.” Claire Gaudion

Industry Insider's Storyboard Interpretations

“I love the bohemian vibe this mood board expresses, playful patterns and not too precious about symmetrical shapes which I think is the reason I find this mood board so comforting. It gives a sense of contentment and well being.” Jade Maria, Jade Maria Interiors

“Warm, textural, rough. I’m imagining something fairly loose and organic. Like a big warm curry with a hint of spice. But then it’s got a big dollop of cooling cream on top (a slightly Scandi touch?) to calm it all down”. Michelle Ogundehin, Editor-at-Large ELLE Decoration UK

The Power of Visual Storytelling

We would like to say a big thank you to our industry insiders who shared their comments on our storyboards. It has been fascinating to consider the storyboards from other viewpoints. Images can represent such personal memories and learned associations that steer our thinking – we’re all responding to the world from our own autobiographical viewpoint – but despite this, many similar character traits and messages were seen in the storyboards. This is the power of visual storytelling.

Our new Landscapes Collection of printed cotton linen fabrics is currently being photographed, and will be launching mid March, so stay tuned to view the final designs. We’d love to hear your comments on the storyboards too.

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british textile design studio

Claire Gaudion designs original and contemporary woven and printed interiors textiles and home accessories, that celebrate colour, pattern and texture. The design studio also provides a custom design service for bespoke fabrics and rugs for retailers, trade and private clients.